Abstract: The present disclosure generally pertains to barbell and dumbbell support systems that allow for a user to perform exercises without requiring movement of the body of the user from the proximity of weight support assemblies when weights are in use. Weight support systems include extendable arm assemblies for the holding and positioning of barbells or dumbbells in a location conducive to performing exercises. Extendable arm assemblies automatically retract when a user removes the barbell or dumbbells from the assemblies, allowing the user to perform the intended exercise without moving away from the system. The retracted position of the extendable arm assemblies allows the user to replace the weights without the assistance of others at the conclusion of the exercise.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally pertains to barbell and dumbbell support systems that allow for a user to perform exercises without requiring movement of the body of the user from the proximity of weight support assemblies when weights are in use. Weight support systems include extendable arm assemblies for the holding and positioning of barbells or dumbbells in a location conducive to performing exercises. Extendable arm assemblies automatically retract when a user removes the barbell or dumbbells from the assemblies, allowing the user to perform the intended exercise without moving away from the system. The retracted position of the extendable arm assemblies allows the user to replace the weights without the assistance of others at the conclusion of the exercise.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally pertains to barbell and dumbbell support systems that allow for a user to perform exercises without requiring movement of the body of the user from the proximity of weight support assemblies when weights are in use. Weight support systems include extendable arm assemblies for the holding and positioning of barbells or dumbbells in a location conducive to performing exercises. Extendable arm assemblies automatically retract when a user removes the barbell or dumbbells from the assemblies, allowing the user to perform the intended exercise without moving away from the system. The retracted position of the extendable arm assemblies allows the user to replace the weights without the assistance of others at the conclusion of the exercise.

Abstract: A beam (38) of electromagnetic radiation deflected by a moving mirror plate (56) of a micromachined scanner (54) produces a two dimensional ("2D") raster (132) on a scanned surface (28) of a block (34). The block (34) is transparent to electro-magnetic radiation of pre-established wavelengths. A radiation inlet-face (36) of the block (34) admits the beam (38) that then impinges on the scanned surface (28) to exit the block (34) through a radiation outlet-face (42). After exiting the block (34), the beam (38) impinges upon a radiation detector (142). Total internal reflection ("TIR") of the beam (38) from the scanned surface (28) at fingerprint valleys and frustration of TIR at fingerprint ridges causes the radiation detector (142) to produce a time-varying electrical signal that represents the fingerprint. The scanned surface (28) may be formed by a patch (302) of resilient material, that may be tinted to be transparent only at the pre-established wavelength of the electro-magnetic radiation.

Abstract: Two torsion bars project from a reference member to support at least one plate or frame-shaped first dynamic member for rotation about an axis of the torsion bars. In one embodiment, a frame-shaped first dynamic member and a second pair of torsion bars, oriented non-parallel to the first torsion bars, support a second dynamic member for rotation about an axis that is collinear with the second pair of torsion bars. The vibrational frequency of the principal torsional vibrational mode of the dynamic members are respectively lower by at least 20% than the vibrational frequency of any other vibrational mode thereof. Either an electrostatic or electromagnetic drive means imparts rotary motion to the dynamic members about the collinear torsion bar axis(es). The reference member, the torsion bars and the dynamic member(s) are all monolithically fabricated from a stress-free semiconductor layer of a silicon substrate.

Abstract: An improved micromachined structure used for beam scanners, gyroscopes, etc. includes a reference member from which project a first pair of axially aligned torsion bars. A first dynamic member, coupled to and supported from the reference member by the torsion bars, oscillates in one-dimension about the torsion bar's axis. A second dynamic member may be supported from the first dynamic member by a second pair of axially aligned torsion bars for two-dimensional oscillation. The dynamic members respectively exhibit a plurality of vibrational modes each having a frequency and a Q. The improvement includes means for altering a characteristic of the dynamic member's frequency and Q. Coupling between dynamic members permits altering the second dynamic member's frequency and Q by techniques applied to the first dynamic member. Some techniques disclosed also increase oscillation amplitude or reduce driving voltage, and also increase mechanical ruggedness of the structure.

Abstract: A rack and pinion gear and a method of assembling such a gear. The gear has a rack bar 1 the rack 4 of which is biased into engagement with the pinion 6 by a spring loaded support 7 which slidably (or rolling) engages a bearing surface 8 of the rack bar. The bearing surface has a central region 9 parallel to the rack axis and tapering end regions 10 and 11 which reduce the thickness of the rack bar from the central region 9. The length C of the region 9 corresponds to 1 to 1.5 revolutions of the pinion 6 while the operative length A of the rack corresponds to at least three revolutions of the pinion. The pinion rotates about an eccentric axis 14 which varies the rack bar tightness. To determine the position of maximum tightness in which the spring loading of the support 7 is to be adjusted, the pinion is rotated from a central position on the rack 4 clockwise and counter-clockwise to displace the rack bar in each instance through a distance corresponding to 0.

Abstract: A variable ratio rack and pinion gear having a rack bar (1) the rack (8) of which engages with the pinion (10) so that rotation of the pinion displaces the rack member (1) longitudinally relative to the housing (6). A yoke (25) supports the member (1) with its teeth in engagement with the pinion and straddles the member (1) to restrain displacement of that member relative to the housing (6) in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation for the pinion (10). The rack member is restrained from rotation relative to the housing, and (1) has a longitudinally extending non-rectilinear grooved track of one or more curved portions (14) which is engaged by a peg (17) rotatably carried in a mounting block (21). The block (21) retains the yoke (25) in the housing with the peg (17) located within and extending through the yoke (25).